Hiking an abandoned railbed I noticed a tree at the wayside having
almost perfectly spherical ornaments pending from its branches. Colored
a very light tan, almost gray with a small hole at bottom, these pods
are very fragile and almost paper thin. In texture and color they
resemble a miniature wasp nest. My casual effort as preservation of a
specimen in my jacket pocket was foiled when I crushed the thing fishing
for change. The tree itself was about 10 feet tall, but the pods
adhered vociferously in this month of March! I consulted Peterson's and
Aududon's North America guides to no avail. Location is 45 miles due
north of New York City. Any help appreciated.